Orientation Overhaul: Scheduling a realistic first day for new employees

For about the 10,000th time in my career, I had a conversation with someone about Day One need-to-have content vs. nice-to-have content vs. there-is-absolutely-NO-need-for-new-employees-to-experience-this-on-their-first-day content. Even now, 20 years into my career, I find myself surprised at just how much content some (well-meaning) people feel is necessary to shove into one day. So today, we're … Continue reading Orientation Overhaul: Scheduling a realistic first day for new employees

It’s time to get serious about your onboarding strategy

March is upon us once again; here in Indiana, where we live and breathe basketball, that means it's not just March, but it's March Madness. College basketball games are playing nonstop, brackets are being determined, rivalries are being tested. Sadly, most of our state's teams aren't making it to the big dance this year...except Purdue, … Continue reading It’s time to get serious about your onboarding strategy

The important distinction between “orientation” and “onboarding”

I recently read an article about - you guessed it - onboarding, and a statement stuck with me...the author was defining new employee orientation at a high level, and then went on to define onboarding. The author suggested that, "Onboarding is often described as 'orientation on steroids.'" This was unsettling to me in a few … Continue reading The important distinction between “orientation” and “onboarding”

If you’re having trouble relating to new employees, do this…

A few weeks ago at the day job, I was meeting with a couple of people on my team, discussing two training programs that we are in the process of updating. One of the programs is part of our onboarding process; new employees participate in the program between 30-60 days post-hire. The team member who … Continue reading If you’re having trouble relating to new employees, do this…

What are your existing employees telling your new employees?

A lot of my blog inspiration comes from casual observations as I'm out-and-about. Today's post comes from a brief conversation I overheard while waiting for an elevator, between an existing employee (Brendon) and a new employee: Brendon: Today was your first day, right? How did it go? I'm Brendon, I'm the Director of Client Experience. … Continue reading What are your existing employees telling your new employees?

3 make-or-break strategies for building a best-in-class onboarding experience

Today alone, in my work email - not even counting messages received in my personal email - I received over 30 solicitation emails (only a few were from organizations I know/like/trust and opted into at some point), telling me how I can improve the results of my (insert program) or how I can maximize efficiency … Continue reading 3 make-or-break strategies for building a best-in-class onboarding experience

5 ways that “offboarding” can elevate your onboarding efforts

In my book, Talent GPS: A Manager's Guide to Navigating the Employee Development Journey, my co-authors and I provided managers with easy-to-use processes throughout the entire employment lifecycle, from the initial interview through when an employee leaves the organization. While we typically focus a lot of our energy on developing employees in their roles or … Continue reading 5 ways that “offboarding” can elevate your onboarding efforts

Onboarding During Times of Organizational Change

I don't often talk about happenings at my day job, but I have an interesting case study to share. We have recently completed a major system conversion, a project that has taken nearly 3 years from inception, but particularly the past 18 months. My team was tasked with enabling the entire organization through training, on-the-job … Continue reading Onboarding During Times of Organizational Change

3 Foolproof Ways to Blow New Employees Away on their First Day

Another new year is upon us, friends! 365 blank calendar squares where we can make a difference, add value, build connections and drive results. The promise and possibility of that is motivating to me, despite years and years of abandoned new habits and rarely worn gym clothes, since I'm not much of a "resolution" kind … Continue reading 3 Foolproof Ways to Blow New Employees Away on their First Day